Once you can do that, you can leech all the nice equipment from the default characters :-).
Use of an old machine or DOS emulator recommended. MOSLO is an excellent program to adjust the speed of the game, as well. It allows you to set the clock speed artificially for a program. For example, MOSLO 1% DKK.EXE would run DKK.EXE at 1% of the maximum computer speed. This is darn useful when dealing with DOS on a fast machine.
About making your characters:
An important thing to remember about the Dragonlance system is the slight changes to the spell systems. First off, mages must be either Red or White robes, depending on their alignment. Each group has access to different spell schools, and neither has access
to all. In general, Red robes tend to have better offensive skills, and White robes are better with protections. You cannot be a Black robe evil mage, so sorry.
Clerics have different special abilities depending on their god. A cleric of Mishakal gets a plus to healing spells, making them indispensable. Other clerics have bonus spells, combat bonuses, etc.
An ideal party has a nice mix of everything. A Knight of Solamnia is good to have, usually they wind up with a dragonlance. Make sure you max out the CON of at least one fighter type; a dragonlance does the wielder's own HP in damage to the dragon target. Multiple attacks in a round from a Hasted fighter with a dragonlance can drop even the largest target. Bring a thief, at least as part of a multiclass character. Ranger/Cleric is a good combo. Again, watch those maximum levels.
If you still enjoy this type of game, there are compilations of these game series out there. With two CDs you can contain pretty much the entire D&D collection. About the only complaint I'd have is that they omitted the Spelljammer game from these collections.
Happy gaming!
